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Here are this week’s must-reads:
+ โThe waiting is the hardest part…’and gosh can we grumble about it. What if we give up the grumbling and replace it with acceptance? What if we choose to become a student of the waiting and uncover the amazing gifts that God has in store for those who surrender their will to His? What if the waiting actually brings the real gift?” – Heather Khym
+ The yearly reminder for Christmas traditions: You donโt need to be in a relationship, married, or have kids to do the Christmas traditions that make you happy. ๐โ๐๐ Do them, anyway. Even if life doesn’t look like you hoped this year. There can still be joy and enjoyment of these little traditions.
+ “Our Advent teacher, John the Baptizer. He knows the source of true joy, focusing on Jesus Christ and calling everyone who will listen to prepare the way for the Lord, in their hearts, their lives, their homes and the world. In His preaching and his life witness he called for a total re-formation. The point is an important one. We are called to reform our lives. Because the Lord is near we must live differently. The way of joy passes through the path of self emptying, the way of humility. The Baptizer reminds us that we must decrease so that we can be filled with Jesus, the source of all joy.The way to joy is through self emptying love.” (Deacon Keith Fournier)
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+ “By His own will Christ was dependent on Mary during Advent…” (Caryll Houselander) // What a mother we have in Mary!
+ โTo live this Advent period more authentically and fruitfully, the liturgy urges us to look at Mary Most Holy and to set out in spirit together with her towards the Bethlehem Grotto. When God knocked at her door, she welcomed him with faith and love.โ โ Pope Benedict XVI
+ One of my favorite Advent devotionals: Last Advent, one of the very simple things we decided to do together was to listen or sing along to an Advent hymn every day. I particularly loved O Come Divine Messiah, Wait for the Lord, and He Came Down (that we may have Love). I loved the short pause in our day — it mostly happened in the evening. In the dark, in our family room — lit mostly by twinkle lights, the beautiful hymns moved my heart. As simple as it was, I found it to be one of my favorite Advent “devotionals.”
+ From Fr. Mike Schmitz: “My parish priest had been called to the hospital, and there was this man who was dying. And he said, “Father I was raised Catholic but I’ve been so far from the Church my entire life — I made a shipwreck of my life. But when I was young, I was told that if you just pray the Hail Mary three times every day, Mary will not let you die without the mercy of God. See my life has been a mess, but that’s what I’ve done. I just turned to Mary with the hope that Mary will not let me die without the mercy of God.” And my priest looked at this man and he simply said, “And here I am.” And he gave him the sacraments. And Mary walked that man into the throne of the Father.”
+ A prayer for these last days of Advent: “Lord Jesus… send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. Who who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” — Henri Nouwen
Here are the Fashion Finds this week!
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